A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes evaluating a first plurality of messages from a media server configured to receive a media stream. The first plurality of messages is indicative of an active state for the media server. The method also includes detecting an anomaly associated with a portion of the first plurality of messages. The anomaly is associated with a failure of the media server. The method can also include activating a failover media server to receive the media stream based on the anomaly, and evaluating a second plurality of messages. The second plurality of messages is indicative of a resumed active state for the media server that experienced the failure. The failover media server can be deactivated based on the resumed active state. Media metadata can be communicated from the failover media server to the media server that experienced the failure.